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Ramirez, Rios still trail in latest AL All-Star voting

Ramirez, Rios still trail in latest AL All-Star voting

6/20/13: Alexei Ramirez goes 4-for-5 with a double in the White Sox game against the Twins

By Scott Merkin
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MLB.com |

Alexei Ramirez has played in every one of the White Sox 72 games this season, with the shortstop hitting .275 overall and .279 over 172 at-bats in the second spot of the order.

Right fielder Alex Rios leads White Sox hitters with 79 hits, ranks second in homers and stolen bases, and third in RBIs, adding to his .283 average. Rios has received some All-Star consideration as the one consistent force among a season-long bout of offensive inconsistency for the White Sox, but did not crack the Top 15 among American League outfield candidates in the latest AL All-Star Game voting update released Saturday night.

Ramirez was situated on the outside of the Top 5 at shortstop, but there's still time for White Sox fans to change that.

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or via a mobile device -- using the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, July 4, at 10:59 p.m. CT.

Fans may submit 25 online ballots during the voting period, but can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, fans must be logged into an MLB.com account when submitting any online ballot. To obtain an MLB.com account, visit www.mlb.com and register in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.

Fans can also once again participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league whom they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2013 Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 7 p.m. CT on Monday, July 15.

Though originally scheduled for July 7, the 2013 rosters will now be unveiled Saturday, July 6, at 5:30 p.m. CT on the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Taco Bell. The show will be televised nationally on FOX.

From Saturday, July 6 to Thursday, July 11, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2013 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by freecreditscore.com for the final player for each league's All-Star roster.

And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.

The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

Jesse Crain looks to be the most deserving of All-Star consideration among the White Sox, although it will be players and AL manager Jim Leyland who ultimately select relief pitchers. The right-hander's numbers are hard to overlook.

Crain has made a franchise-record 29 straight scoreless appearances since April 12, covering 29 innings. That innings streak puts Crain one inning ahead of White Sox starter Chris Sale, also an All-Star worthy hurler, for the longest scoreless stretch in baseball this season. In the eighth inning Saturday against the Royals, Eric Hosmer reached via a one-out triple when Alejandro De Aza and Rios had a communication problem in right-center and allowed a catchable ball to fall in the midst of a 2-2 deadlock.

But Crain retired Salvador Perez on an infield popup and after a walk to Billy Butler, struck out Lorenzo Cain. Crain has 38 strikeouts over these 29 innings and 43 overall.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.